Why is today the first day of fall for us in the Northern Hemisphere or the first day of spring for the Southern Hemisphere? Why is it called the equinox?
It is probably easiest to start by answering the equinox question first. Equinox can be understood as equal or equator for our seasonal calendars. Basically the Sun at the moment of an equinox is sitting at 0° Latitude. When the sun sits there, the day and night is equal, for our clocks, 12 hours of daylight and 12 hours of night. Those that live south of the equator will experience days getting more and more sun and less and less darkness. Us in the northern hemisphere will experience the opposite. Up north we are slowly headed to those long winter nights.
So it is time to get out those long sleeves and sweaters. Any second now everything will turn “Pumpkin Spice.” Rake up leaves and gather around the fire. Clean up the gardens. Winter will be here soon enough.
